Lung Sounds - Adventitious

Adventitious Lung Sounds


• Crackles or Rales

1. Discontinuous crackling sounds created by air moving through fluid / mucous filled alveoli or bronchioles
2. Exaggerated with deep breath
3. Do not clear with coughing
4. Sign of inflammation with fluid / mucous


• Rhonchi

1. Low-pitched, coarse, rumbling sounds caused by air moving past secretions in larger airways, larger bronchioles
2. Sign of secretions


• Wheezes

1. Musical, continuous sounds; usually expected to be expiratory with COPD
2. Caused by air passing through narrowed airways, usually bronchioles
3. The higher the pitch, the narrower the airway
4. Inspiratory wheezes are more critical than expiratory


• Stridor

1. Primarily an inspiratory sound
2. Indicates partial obstruction of larynx or trachea, often from a spasm
3. Is a medical emergency